Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONDUCTING A LOTTERY GAME AS A
FUNCTION OF A PLAYER'S PURCHASE AT A RETAIL ESTABLISHMENT
PRIORITY CLAIM
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial
No. 61/027,583, filed February 11, 2008, and U.S. Application Serial No.
12/365,952, filed February 5, 2009.
BACKGROUND
Lottery tickets are sold at many types of retail establishments including,
stores, such as grocery stores, general merchandise stores, and the like.
These
games are typically online terminal based games wherein players purchase a
lottery ticket with either their selection of objects or characters from a
defined set
(i.e., numbers from a set of number ranging from 1 to 99), or a set of such
objects
or characters are randomly generated for the player. The lottery gaming
authority
conducts a subsequent drawing from the set of characters or objects, and
players
win based on the number or combination of matches in their selection with the
draw set. Examples of such games include "Pick-3", "Pick-4", "Lotto",
"Powerball",
and so forth. These games are well known to those skilled in the art.
Instant scratch-off lottery tickets are also quite popular and are offered at
a
wide variety of retail establishments. These tickets generally relate to a
game
theme, such as bingo or poker, and the player determines if the ticket is a
winner
by removing an opaque scratch-off material from the play area to reveal
certain
game variables.
It is generally recognized in the industry that new and different games are
essential to sustaining the public's interest and participation in lottery
games.
Game themes tend to grow stale over time, and must be replaced with newer,
more exciting games. With the above-described types of games, this burden
falls
solely on the gaming authority. New game themes, rules, payouts, etc. are
strictly
a function of the games supplied by the lottery authority to the retail
establishments. Player participation and interest is dictated solely by the
boundaries of the game supplied to the retail establishment, with the retail
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establishments often acting as little more than vendors of the lottery
tickets. If the
game has no appeal to the player, there is little that can be done at the
retail
establishment to generate more interest in the game. Also, as more and more
establishments offer lottery games, the marketing value of the games for such
establishments diminishes.
The lottery games offered at retail establishments also have the
disadvantage that the establishment typically has one or more check-out
points,
commonly referred to as check-out lanes, with each check-out lane equipped
with
a point-of-sale (POS) terminal. In contrast, lottery tickets are typically
sold at a
separate lottery point-of-sale terminal or terminals within the same retail
establishment. This system generally requires additional personnel to staff
the
lottery POS terminal, or requires the store clerk to divide their time and
responsibility between the lottery POS terminal and the store POS terminal.
For
larger stores having many POS terminals, customers wishing to also purchase
lottery tickets may be faced with a bottleneck situation when there are
significantly
fewer lottery POS terminals.
The present invention is useful in that it provides a method and system for
conducting a lottery game at retail establishments that is a function of
events that
transpire at the retail establishment, with each play of the game being
different
based on the player's interaction with the retail establishment prior to the
game.
The games may be played directly at the establishment POS terminals.
SUMMARY
Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the
following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be
learned
through practice of the invention.
In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method for conducting
a lottery game at a retail establishment wherein players purchase goods or
services. The game is not limited to any particular type of retail
establishment, and
may be implemented at establishments currently offering lottery games, such as
convenience stores, supermarkets, and the like. The game may also be
implemented at other non-conventional types of retail establishments, such as
restaurants, hardware stores, appliance stores, department stores, large
retail
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stores, and virtually any establishment where goods or services are offered.
The
lottery game can be offered to customers of the retail establishment at any
combination of the establishment's checkout POS terminals, and preferably at
each such terminal.
The game method involves a player placing a wager that is a function of the
purchase price of the goods or services purchased by the player. This wager
may
simply be added as a line item to the player's order or receipt and paid
directly to
the retail establishment, which would periodically account to the lottery
gaming
authority for the wagers (and prize payouts). After the wager is computed and
placed, a lottery draw is conducted. This lottery draw may be played
immediately
at the time of purchase of the goods or services, or at a subsequent time. The
probability of the player winning the lottery draw is a direct function of the
purchase price of the goods or services (which dictates the wager amount), and
the prize award is a direct function of the purchase price of the goods or
services.
Desirably, the player is immediately notified of the results of the lottery
draw at the
time of purchase of the goods or services.
In a particular embodiment, the wager amount corresponds to the amount
needed to round the purchase price to a defined incremental value. This value
may be, for example, the next highest whole dollar amount. For example, if the
purchase price is $10.25, then the wager amount is $0.75. If the purchase
price is
$10.00, then the wager amount is $1.00.
It should be appreciated that the purchase price may be rounded up to the
next highest multiple of $10, $20, $50, $100, or even higher, depending on the
nature and value of the goods being purchased. The incremental roundup
number may be a function of the total purchase price. For example, the roundup
requirement may be to the next highest $1.00 for purchases between $1.00 and
$1, 000.00, and to the next highest $10.00 multiple for purchases between
$1,001.00 and $10,000.00, and to the next highest $100.00 multiple for
purchases
greater than $10,001.00, and so forth. With the higher purchase values and
corresponding larger wager amounts, the probabilities can still be maintained
in
conformity with the overall lottery system payout.
The prize award for a winning draw in a particular embodiment of the game
method corresponds to the rounded up purchase price of the goods or services.
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For example, for the purchase prices of $10.00 and $10.25 discussed above, the
prize payout amount would be $11.00, and the probability of winning this award
is
proportional to the wager amount. In other words, the player having the
purchase
price of $10.00 wagers more than the player with the purchase price of $10.25,
and thus has a better probability of winning.
The lottery authority establishes winning probabilities based on a desired
payout percentage. For example, the lottery authority may desire an award
payout of 55% for the lottery game (i.e., 55% of the amount taken in is paid
out in
prizes). With this defined payout, the winning probabilities are computed,
with the
probabilities being proportional to the wager amount for a given rounded up
purchase price, and inversely proportional to the rounded up purchase price at
a
given wager amount.
The lottery draw itself can take on various formats. In a particular
embodiment, the draw may correspond to a "Pick-3" or "Lotto" game format
wherein the player is assigned one or more objects (e.g., numbers, characters,
symbols, and the like) from a defined set, with the range of the defined set
and
number of objects computed in accordance with the game probabilities. The
lottery system then randomly generates a set of play objects from the defined
set.
The player wins the lottery draw if their assigned object(s) matches some
stipulated number or configuration of the play objects(s). The player's
assigned
objects may be randomly generated for the player, or selected by the player.
It
should be readily appreciated that any manner of random selection game may be
implemented as the lottery draw component of the game method.
The present invention also encompasses a system configuration for
implementing the game described herein at one or more checkout POS terminals
in a retail establishment. The system may include a lottery terminal system
configured in communication with the POS checkout terminal for transmission of
the player's purchase price. The lottery terminal system is configured to
conduct
the lottery game at the POS checkout terminal whereby the player places a
wager
that may be added to their purchase price and paid directly to the retail
establishment in the event that the player loses the lottery game. The wager
amount is a function of the purchase price of the goods or services, as
discussed
above.
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The lottery terminal system is configured to conduct a lottery draw at the
time of purchase of the goods or services wherein the probability of winning
the
draw is a function of the amount of the wager and the purchase price, in
particular
the rounded up purchase price. For each lottery draw, the terminal system
provides an indication to the player of the outcome of the game, for example
by a
lottery ticket printed at the POS terminal.
Desirably, the retail establishment includes multiple POS checkout
terminals, and at least one lottery terminal system is configured at each POS
checkout terminal so that any customer of the establishment is given the
opportunity to play the lottery game regardless of where they check out.
The lottery terminal systems may be networked with a central game
computer system having a hardware and software configuration to implement the
lottery game at multiple retail establishments. The central computer can carry
out
any number of control functions, including monitoring, establishing game
parameters, accounting for game proceeds, and the like. In addition, the
lottery
terminal systems and/or central game computer may be interfaced with a central
computer for the retail establishment for any number of functions, including
accounting to lottery authority for wagers and prize awards, and so forth.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A full and enabling disclosure including the best mode of practicing the
appended claims and directed to one of ordinary skill in the art is set forth
more
particularly in the remainder of the specification. The specification makes
reference to the appended figures, in which:
Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary system configuration at a
retail establishment for implement the game according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating components at an exemplary check-
out lane of the retail establishment; and
Figure 3 is a flowchart diagram illustrating aspects of an exemplary game
methodology according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
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Reference will now be made in detail to various and alternative exemplary
embodiments and to the accompanying drawings, with like numerals representing
substantially identical structural elements. Each example is provided by way
of
explanation, and not as a limitation. In fact, it will be apparent to those
skilled in
the art that modifications and variations can be made without departing from
the
scope or spirit of the disclosure and claims. For instance, features
illustrated or
described as part of one embodiment may be used on another embodiment to
yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present
disclosure
includes modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended
claims and their equivalents.
Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a system configuration within a retail
establishment for implementing the lottery game in accordance with aspects of
the
invention. Referring to Fig. 1, a retail establishment 12 is depicted with
multiple
checkout lanes 28 where customers purchase products or goods. As mentioned, it
should be readily appreciated that the retail establishment 12 may be any
manner
of establishment wherein customers purchase goods or services. For example,
the retail establishment 12 may be a restaurant, or any other establishment
offering services (as compared to goods), a department store, retail store,
and so
forth. The depiction of the retail establishment 12 in Fig. 1 is for
illustrative
purposes only.
Each of the checkout lanes 28 includes conventional system components,
such as a point of sale (POS) terminal 14, display 16, keypad 18, a card
reader 20,
a printer 22, and an item scanner 24. Each of the checkout lanes 28 may
include
a conventional product conveyor 30 that conveys products to the point of sale
terminal 14 wherein the products are passed over the scanner 24, which may be
a
conventional bar code scanner which uses reflected laser light to recognize
machine-readable bar codes, such as UPC codes, on the purchased items. Each
of the checkout lanes 28 may also incorporate a merchandising area 34 that may
include, for example, one or more racks, shelves, or other displays whereby
items
are offered to customers in line at the checkout lane 28. For example, in a
conventional grocery store configuration, the merchandising areas 34 may be
used
to promote candy, magazines, novelties, and other impulse items. Each of the
checkout lanes 28 may include any manner of bagging area 32 wherein the
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purchase products are subsequently bagged for the customer. Each lane 28 may
further include a check-writing stand 36, which is typically a flat area that
can be
used by customers as a writing surface. A credit card reader 20 (Fig. 2) may
be
configured with the check writing stamp 36.
It should be appreciated that the component configuration at the individual
checkout lanes 28 is not a limiting factor of the present system or
methodology,
and that those skilled in the art may configure a system with any manner of
conventional POS components for implementing the game methodology according
to the invention.
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, at least one of the checkout lanes 28
incorporates a lottery terminal system 38. Desirably, the lottery terminal
system 38
is configured in close proximity to the POS terminal 14. The lottery terminal
system 38 is electronically interfaced with the POS terminal 14, as depicted
by the
line 52 in Fig. 1. The lottery terminal system 38 may include any
configuration of
components, such as a display 40, an input device 42 such as a keypad, play
slip
scanner, or the like, and a lottery ticket printer 44. These components may be
configured at any convenient location at the POS terminal 14, or any other
location
in the retail establishment 12. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, the
components are configured at the check-writing stand 36 so as to be readily
visible
and accessible to a player.
Each of the checkout lanes 28 may include a marketing monitor or display
46 at the entrance to the checkout lane to promote the lottery game and to
provide
customers with instructions on how to play the game. For example, the display
or
monitor 46 may play a video that informs potential players of the game prior
to the
player's proceeding to purchase their goods or services from the retail
establishment.
The various lottery terminal systems 38 and associated components may be
connected to the POS terminals 14 and to each other in any suitable manner.
The
connections can include, for example, USB, RS-232, IEEE 1394, or another
serial,
parallel, or other data connections. The connection to the POS terminal 14 is
indicated by line 52 in Fig. 1, and the inter-connections between the system
38
components is illustrated by line 53 in Fig. 1.
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Referring to Figs. I and 2, each of the lottery terminal systems 38 may be
interfaced with a gaming authority central computer system 48 via a bus 54 and
a
router 50. Thus, in this particular embodiment, the connection comprises a
wireless connection implemented by the router 204. It should be appreciated
that
any manner of conventional networking configuration may be utilized to place
the
systems 38 in communication with the central gaming authority 48, or with each
other. For example, in certain embodiments, the lottery terminal systems 38
may
include built-in wireless routers so as to communicate directly with the
gaming
authority computer 48.
The retail establishment 12 typically includes a central computer 26, with
the various POS terminals 14 being interfaced with this computer by, for
example,
a local area network or other conventional connection. The retail
establishment
computer 26 may serve any number of conventional functions, such as tracking
sales, inventory, and any other data and activity related to the purchase of
goods
at the individual POS terminals 14. The computer 26 may be connected to other
systems, such as an enterprise-level accounting, inventory, and sales system
via
additional connections, such as a LAN/WAN connection.
The lottery terminal systems 38 are also in communication with the retail
establishment computer 26 by any conventional communication means. In the
embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, the bus 54 is in communication with the
computer
26 via line 56. This connection may be, for example, a wireless connection. In
an
alternative embodiment, each of the lottery terminal systems 38 may be in
direct
communication with the retail establishment computer 26 by way of, for
example,
built-in router systems.
It may also be desirable for the lottery gaming authority central computer 48
to communicate with the retail establishment central computer 26. This
communication may be implemented by any suitable means, and the various
connection lines illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 are for illustrative purposes
only.
The respective lottery terminal systems 38 may comprise a general purpose
or specialized computer system that runs one or more programs to facilitate
play of
the lottery game described herein. This computer system 38 is interfaced with
the
POS terminal 14 to receive transmission of the player's purchase price. Upon
receipt of this information, the lottery terminal computer system implements
the
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software and hardware necessary to prompt the player and conduct the lottery
game described herein. Each of the lottery terminal systems 38 may be
configured to individually conduct a lottery game, with periodic downloads and
updates from the gaming authority central computer 48. In alternative
embodiments, each lottery game is conducted by the gaming authority central
computer 48 via the individual lottery terminal systems 38.
It should be readily appreciated that the various system component
configurations illustrated and discussed herein are not limiting features of
the
invention. Suitable implementing systems are not limited to any particular
hardware, architecture, or configuration. System embodiments for conducting
the
lottery game at any manner of retail establishment may be implemented by one
or
more general purpose or customized computing systems adapted in any suitable
manner to provide the desired functionality for conducting the lottery game.
For
example, one or more computing devices may be adapted to provide desired
functionality by accessing software instructions rendered in a computer-
readable
form. When software is used, any suitable programming, scripting, or other
type of
language or combinations of languages may be used to implement the gaming
methodology. In certain embodiments, software may be limited and the desired
functionality can be implemented by hard-wired logic or other circuitry,
including
application-specific circuits. Combinations of computer-executed software and
hard-wired logic or other circuitry may be suitable, as well.
The transmission and relay of data between POS terminals, lottery terminal
systems, retail establishment central computers, and gaming authority computer
systems can take place over one or more communications networks of various
forms. For example, a suitable network can comprise a dial-in network, a local
area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), public switched telephone network
(PSTN), the internet, intranet, or other type of network. A network may
comprise
any number and/or combination of hard-wired, wireless, or other communication
links.
An exemplary embodiment of the lottery game that may be played by
customers of a retail establishment is discussed below with reference to the
flow
chart in Fig. 3. As explained above, the game methodology involves a player
placing a wager that is a function of the purchase price of the goods or
services
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purchased from the retail establishment. At step A in Fig. 3, the purchase
price of
the goods or services is computed and the customer is queried at the POS
terminal as to whether or not they desire to participate in the lottery game.
If the
customer declines to play at step B, then the transaction is terminated at
step C
and the customer pays the purchase price for their respective goods or
services.
If the customer desires to play at step D, then the lottery terminal system
components receive transmission of the purchase price and round the purchase
price up to a defined incremental value. The wager amount is then computed as
the difference between the purchase price and the roundup value. The roundup
value may be, for example, the next highest whole dollar amount. For example,
if
the purchase price is $10.25, then the roundup purchase price is $11.00 and
the
wager amount is $0.75. If the purchase price is $10.00, then the roundup
purchase price is $11.00 the wager amount is $1.00. As mentioned above, it
should be appreciated that the purchase price may be rounded up to the next
highest multiple of $10.00, $20.00, $50.00, $100.00, and so forth, depending
on
the nature and value of the goods purchased. The incremental roundup number
may be established by the lottery gaming authority as a function of the total
purchase price. For example, the roundup requirement may be to the next
highest
$1.00 for purchases between a certain range, for example between $1.00 and
$1,000.00. The roundup number may be to the next highest $10.00 multiple for
purchases between $1,001.00 and $10,000.00, and so forth. With higher
purchase values, a correspondingly higher wager amount is desired so that the
probabilities for a winning lottery draw can be maintained by the gaming
authority
in conformity with the desired overall lottery system payout.
At step F in Fig. 3, the wager amount for playing the lottery game is added
to the player's purchase price.
At step G, the lottery draw is conducted at the time of the purchase, or at a
later time. The probability of the player winning at this lottery draw is
computed as
a function of the wager amount and the rounded up purchase price, as indicated
at
step H in Fig. 3. The prize award for the winding draw in any particular
embodiment of the game corresponds to the rounded up purchase price of the
goods or services. For example, for the purchase prices of $10.00 and $10.25
discussed above, the prize award would be $11.00. The probability of winning
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award is proportional to the wager amount. For example, the player having the
purchase price of $10.00 wagers more than the player with the purchase price
of
$10.25, and thus has a better probability of winning.
The lottery authority establishes winning probabilities based on a desired
payout percentage. In the tables below, probabilities are given for various
purchase values for payout percentages of 55%, 60%, and 65%, respectively.
Based on a desired payout percentage, the winning probabilities are computed
as
a function of the wager amount for a given purchase price. For example,
referring
to the first sub-table under Table A for a 55% payout schedule, the wager
amount
for a purchase value of $20.01 is $0.99, and the probability of winning the
lottery
draw is 1 in 38.6. For a purchase value of $20.50, the wager amount is $0.50
and
the probability of winning the lottery draw is 1 in 76.4. For a purchase price
of
$20.99, the wager amount is $0.01 and the probability of winning the lottery
draw
is 1 in 3,812.2. The prize award for all of these scenarios is the rounded up
purchase price of $21.00. It can thus be seen from this table that, as the
wager
amount increases, the probability of winning the lottery draw also increases.
Thus,
for a given rounded up purchase price, the probability of winning the lottery
draw is
proportional to the wager amount.
The second sub-table under Table A illustrates purchase prices that would
have a rounded up value of $41.00. The wager amounts correspond to the wager
amounts in the first sub-table, but the probabilities of winning the lottery
draw for
any given wager amount is less than the respective probabilities in the first
table.
For instance, the wager amount for the purchase price of $40.01 in the second
sub-table is $0.99 and the probability of success is 1 in 75.3, as compared to
the
probability of success of 1 in 38.6 in the first sub-table. This relationship
is
reflected in all of the sub-tables within Tables A through C. Thus, the
probability of
success in the lottery draw at a given wager amount is inversely proportional
to the
rounded up purchase price (or prize award amount).
Tables B and C illustrate the same scenarios as Table A, but at a different
payout schedule. As reflected in the various sub-tables, as the lottery payout
schedule increases, the probability of success in the lottery draw increases
proportionately.
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Table A: Sample Probability Tables for a 55% payout
Purchase Value $20.01 $20.25 $20.50 $20.75 $20.99 $21.00
Game cost $0.99 $0.75 $0.50 $0.25 $0.01 $1.00
1/Probability 38.6 50.9 76.4 152.7 3,818.2 40.0
Purchase Value $40.01 $40.25 $40.50 $40.75 $40.99 $41.00
Game cost $0.99 $0.75 $0.50 $0.25 $0.01 $1.00
1/Probability 75.3 99.4 149.1 298.2 7,454.5 76.4
Purchase Value $70.01 $70.25 $70.50 $70.75 $70.99 $71.00
Game cost $0.99 $0.75 $0.50 $0.25 $0.01 $1.00
1/Probability 130.4 172.1 258.2 516.4 12,909.1 130.9
Purchase Value $100.01 $100.25 $100.50 $100.75 $100.99 $101.00
Game cost $0.99 $0.75 $0.50 $0.25 $0.01 $1.00
1/Probability 185.5 244.8 367.3 734.5 18,363.6 185.5
Table B: Sample Probability Tables for a 60% payout
Purchase Value $20.01 $20.25 $20.50 $20.75 $20.99 $21.00
Game cost $0.99 $0.75 $0.50 $0.25 $0.01 $1.00
1/Probability 35.4 46.7 70.0 140.0 3,500.0 36.7
Purchase Value $40.01 $40.25 $40.50 $40.75 $40.99 $41.00
Game cost $0.99 $0.75 $0.50 $0.25 $0.01 $1.00
1/Probability 69.0 91.1 136.7 273.3 6,833.3 70.0
Purchase Value $70.01 $70.25 $70.50 $70.75 $70.99 $71.00
Game cost $0.99 $0.75 $0.50 $0.25 $0.01 $1.00
1/Probability 119.5 157.8 236.7 473.3 11,833.3 120.0
Purchase Value $100.01 $100.25 $100.50 $100.75 $100.99 $101.00
Game cost $0.99 $0.75 $0.50 $0.25 $0.01 $1.00
1/Probability 170.0 224.4 336.7 673.3 16,833.3 170.0
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Table C: Sample Probability Tables for a 65% payout
Purchase Value $20.01 $20.25 $20.50 $20.75 $20.99 $21.00
Game cost $0.99 $0.75 $0.50 $0.25 $0.01 $1.00
1/Probability 32.6 43.1 64.6 129.2 3,230.8 33.8
Purchase Value $40.01 $40.25 $40.50 $40.75 $40.99 $41.00
Game cost $0.99 $0.75 $0.50 $0.25 $0.01 $1.00
1/Probability 63.7 84.1 126.2 252.3 6,307.7 64.6
Purchase Value $70.01 $70.25 $70.50 $70.75 $70.99 $71.00
Game cost $0.99 $0.75 $0.50 $0.25 $0.01 $1.00
1/Probability 110.3 145.6 218.5 436.9 10,923.1 110.8
Purchase Value $100.01 $100.25 $100.50 $100.75 $100.99 $101.00
Game cost $0.99 $0.75 $0.50 $0.25 $0.01 $1.00
1/Probability 157.0 207.2 310.8 621.5 15,538.5 156.9
It should be readily appreciated that the above tables are for illustrative
purposes only. It is well within the level of those skilled in the art of
lottery game
statistics and probabilities to devise a game schedule with prize awards and
probabilities that are attractive to potential players, yet are in accordance
with a
payout schedule that satisfies the lottery game requirements.
The lottery draw game may take on various forms. In a particular
embodiment, the lottery draw may correspond to a conventional game, such as
"Pick-3" or "Lotto" games wherein the player selects or is randomly assigned
one
more objects (e.g. numbers) from a defined set. The range of the defined set
and
number of objects in the play are computed in accordance with the game
probabilities. The lottery system then randomly generates a set of the play
objects
from the defined set, and the player wins the lottery draw if their selected
or
assigned objects match the randomly generated play objects. The player may
select their objects via a keypad, touch screen, or other input mechanism at
the
lottery terminal apparatus, or the objects may be randomly assigned to the
player
by the lottery terminal system.
At step I in Fig. 3, the player is notified as to whether they have won the
lottery draw. This may be done, for example, by issuing a lottery ticket to
the
player at the POS terminal, with the ticket indicating the player's assigned
or
selected objects, as well as the randomly generated objects. The ticket may
also
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indicate whether the player is a winner or not. If it is determined that the
player
has not won the lottery draw in step J, then the game is terminated in step K
and
the player's purchase transaction is completed. The purchaser pays the rounded
up purchase price for their goods or services, which includes the wager
amount.
If it is determined that the player won the lottery draw in step M, then the
player is awarded their goods or services as the prize award.
At an appropriate time, the retail establishment accounts to the gaming
authority in step N for the wager amounts and prize amounts. For example, the
retail establishment tenders to the lottery game authority the value (or
defined
percentage) of the wagers placed at the various POS terminals within the
establishment, and collects reimbursement for prize awards made to winning
players.
The material particularly shown and described above is not meant to be
limiting, but instead serves to show and teach various exemplary
implementations
of the present subject matter. As set forth in the attached claims, the scope
of the
present invention includes both combinations and sub-combinations of various
features discussed herein, along with such variations and modifications as
would
occur to a person of skill in the art.
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